Upgrade the tranny
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: Upgrade the tranny (bobbodine)
This forum is as good as any and better than most for any vette information...probably really MUCH better.....
IF you have a wide ratio 4 speed, and a mild rear gear, I don't think I'd bother swapping....
now if you have say a 336 rear and want overdrive....seems most 5 speds I looked at had a 1-1 final drive ratio in 5th gear....no overdrive....so was just plainly useless....especially for the 3 grand swap cost...
NOW a daze...maybe just maybe a 5 speed o/drive is available for our cars that is strong enough...but I doubt it....
now Richmond Gear makes a 6 speed......with o/drive....strong....
3 grand though....
cheapest o/drive comes through going automatic....see many threads in a search on this site....
GENE :D :cool: :cool:
IF you have a wide ratio 4 speed, and a mild rear gear, I don't think I'd bother swapping....
now if you have say a 336 rear and want overdrive....seems most 5 speds I looked at had a 1-1 final drive ratio in 5th gear....no overdrive....so was just plainly useless....especially for the 3 grand swap cost...
NOW a daze...maybe just maybe a 5 speed o/drive is available for our cars that is strong enough...but I doubt it....
now Richmond Gear makes a 6 speed......with o/drive....strong....
3 grand though....
cheapest o/drive comes through going automatic....see many threads in a search on this site....
GENE :D :cool: :cool:
Drifting
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,673
Likes: 0
Re: Upgrade the tranny (mrvette)
That's my problem. I havr ovee 400 ft. lb. or torque and 3.70 gears in the rear. With the 26.06" tires, it comes out to 3.82. The the 2.20 first gear is plenty to smoke the tires stupid if I'm not carefull. A 5 speed for me would mean I'd also need a gear change at the same time. I don't need a 3.30 or so 1st gear. I'd like a 5 speed that is geared like a close ratio Muncie 1-4 then a overdrive 5th.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Re: Upgrade the tranny (bobbodine)
3.08 + richmond 5-speed would be quite a nice combination, actually.
You'd have the benefit of a much higher rear gear ratio, closer ratio between the gears, and the same freeway RPM.
This is how the BMW 5-speed transmissions are. Geared quickly and with lots of line launching gear.
However, we do not have the torque curve of a high winding straight-four or six, and close ratios, while nice, are not quite as necessary. With our lower torque, wider ratios are not that big a handicap. Of course, all is negated if you've built an engine that's designed to wind high (327 posting peak power in the high 6's).
Anyhow... congrats to me on post #1978!
-Steve
You'd have the benefit of a much higher rear gear ratio, closer ratio between the gears, and the same freeway RPM.
This is how the BMW 5-speed transmissions are. Geared quickly and with lots of line launching gear.
However, we do not have the torque curve of a high winding straight-four or six, and close ratios, while nice, are not quite as necessary. With our lower torque, wider ratios are not that big a handicap. Of course, all is negated if you've built an engine that's designed to wind high (327 posting peak power in the high 6's).
Anyhow... congrats to me on post #1978!
-Steve
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 5,768
Likes: 3
From: San Diego CA
Re: Upgrade the tranny (mrvette)
NOW a daze...maybe just maybe a 5 speed o/drive is available for our cars that is strong enough...but I doubt it....
now Richmond Gear makes a 6 speed......with o/drive....strong....
3 grand though....
cheapest o/drive comes through going automatic....see many threads in a search on this site....
GENE :D :cool: :cool:
now Richmond Gear makes a 6 speed......with o/drive....strong....
3 grand though....
cheapest o/drive comes through going automatic....see many threads in a search on this site....
GENE :D :cool: :cool:
[Modified by fauxrs, 7:20 AM 9/23/2002]
Drifting
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,673
Likes: 0
Re: Upgrade the tranny (fauxrs)
But if your car is geared numerically high, you have the same problem with a Tremac as a Richman. I don't need the equivilant of 5.12 to 1 in first. I have to buy tires too you know! :eek:
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,514
Likes: 1
Re: Upgrade the tranny (Robert Holtman)
Bob there is an alternative. Salle Chevrolet offers a retro fit T56 that'll bolt to original bellhousings and use stock clutch. http://www.salleechevrolet.com/BorgWarner/t56pics.html
It's Gear-ratio spread: 2.97:1, 1.94:1, 1.35:1, 1.00:1, 0.84:1, 0.62:1 forward, and 3.28:1 reverse
At $2295 + $40 to drill the adapter for a standard bellhousing, still cheaper then the Rod but more then the Tremec 3550. Not sure what the torque ratings are though I think 450 ft/lbs.
Scott
It's Gear-ratio spread: 2.97:1, 1.94:1, 1.35:1, 1.00:1, 0.84:1, 0.62:1 forward, and 3.28:1 reverse
At $2295 + $40 to drill the adapter for a standard bellhousing, still cheaper then the Rod but more then the Tremec 3550. Not sure what the torque ratings are though I think 450 ft/lbs.
Scott
